Chapter 4 — First Impressions

Charlie

There’s a certain rhythm to hockey practice—a blend of chaos and control. Usually, it grounded me, like the steady drumming of skates cutting into ice. Today, though, it felt like trying to skate on thin ice: unstable and ready to crack. My stick slapped the puck into the boards for what felt like the thousandth time, the sharp sound ricocheting through the rink and cutting through the frigid air. I tightened my grip on the stick, frustration curdling in my chest.